I get a lot of comments and questions about my support of the Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón–so let me try and explain my position and how I arrived there.
Where I Stand
If you know me, you know I firmly believe in accountability. Bad actions should have consequences—that’s just real life. Now, we can debate all day about what those consequences should look like, but doing wrong shouldn’t just slide by unchecked. I’ve got a saying: I’m not a “lock ‘em all up” person, but I’m not “let ‘em all out,” either. There’s a middle ground, and that’s where I think most of us stand. We don’t want to be overly harsh, but we’re not naïve enough to think there’s no price for breaking the rules. It’s about finding that balance, where justice isn’t one-size-fits-all but fits each situation fairly. Accountability isn’t about punishment, it’s about making sure everyone understands that choices have weight, and I believe most people—at least the ones I know—agree with that approach.
I believe there’s a way to hold people accountable that doesn’t swing to extremes. We’ve all seen the damage when the system goes too far one way or the other: endless jail sentences that destroy communities or, on the flip side, folks getting a free pass when they need a reality check. It’s not about being “soft” or “tough”—it’s about being smart. Accountability has to mean something–it has to be about guiding people back on track, not throwing them away or letting them off the hook without growth or the help they need.
I’m not here to say everyone should be locked up or everyone should walk free. Most of us live in that middle ground where we understand that people make mistakes, and while we don’t want a justice system that crushes lives, we also don’t want one that turns a blind eye. It’s a balance, one that requires thoughtfulness, compassion, and a clear-eyed view of what justice really looks like. We can have a system that demands accountability without sacrificing humanity—something that helps people learn and redeem themselves, while also keeping our communities safe. That’s where I stand, and if you know me, you know I’m always going to stand up for a justice system that’s fair and grounded in (what should be) common sense.
Crime in LA County
Is there crime in Los Angeles? Absolutely. In the time it’s taken me to write this op-ed, I’m sure a few more crimes have been reported somewhere in the city. But here’s the thing: crime is a reality in any major city—it always has been. People have been breaking laws in every corner of the world since laws were written. But how crime is discussed, framed, and perceived here in Los Angeles? That’s a whole different conversation.
Crime isn’t a new or unique problem to Los Angeles, but if you look at the headlines, you’d think it’s a crisis spiraling out of control, unique to our city alone. Sensationalized stories make it seem like crime is around every corner, waiting to jump out and catch us off guard. And yes, crime is a serious issue that affects lives, families, and communities, but let’s not ignore the fact that these headlines often sell fear, not facts. Are the numbers really soaring? Or is the conversation just shifting to scare us into believing it is?
There’s a difference between knowing crime exists and thinking it’s at our doorstep.
Let’s face it: crime is part of living in a big, vibrant city like L.A., but we deserve more than just fear-mongering. We need honest reporting and real solutions, not more fuel for the fire of public anxiety. So, yes, crime exists here, but let’s be careful about how it’s portrayed—because our city deserves better than to be written off as a hotbed of crime when the reality is far more complex.
It’s no secret that headlines drive viewership, and in today’s world, fear sells. If it bleeds, it leads still rules in LA news. When news media spotlights crime stories nonstop—whether it’s a minor theft or a shocking act—they can paint a picture that crime is out of control, even when the numbers say otherwise. By focusing on isolated incidents instead of the bigger picture, the media often makes it seem like crime is soaring everywhere. The reality is more complex, but constant coverage fuels the hype, influencing the public to think we’re all at a higher risk.
Gascón and Crime in LA County
George Gascón isn’t to blame for rising crime. When WE talk about the changes in criminal justice, WE have to remember that voters—US—approved many of these reforms, either by electing officials committed to them or by directly voting in favor of these policies ourselves.
From sentencing reform to alternatives to incarceration, these are the choices WE made as a community. As District Attorney, Gascón is bound by the laws and policies WE endorsed. He’s not working outside the system—he’s following the exact mandates WE asked for. So if anyone’s pointing fingers, they need to understand that the push for reform didn’t start with him, it started with US.
WE made it clear that the old, tough-on-crime approach isn’t working. So he focused on criminal justice reform, reducing mass incarceration, and holding law enforcement accountable–exactly what’s needed to address systemic issues and create a more just system. WE wanted someone that was not just about locking people up—but about getting to the root of the problem.
Gascón has taken strides to protect the most vulnerable, including pushing for diversion programs for low-level offenses, especially for young people and those struggling with mental health issues. He’s aiming to keep people out of the system and give them a second chance, which is critical for keeping families and communities together. What WE said WE wanted.
Gascón has been vocal about addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system. His policies reflect an understanding of how Black and Brown communities have been disproportionately affected by harsh sentencing and over-policing, and he’s working to change that narrative because WE said that’s what WE wanted.
Some argue that Gascón’s reforms have led to rising crime, saying he’s too lenient on offenders. But the reality is crime trends are influenced by a lot of factors outside the DA’s control—like poverty and lack of resources. Gascón’s approach focuses on long-term solutions that will actually make communities safer, rather than just reactive, temporary fixes. Fixes take time. It is not immediate.
Gascón's Reforms
I am not anti-law enforcement. I am anti-bad law enforcement.
Gascón has faced pushback from law enforcement agencies who are uncomfortable with the shift in approach. But reform isn’t supposed to make everyone comfortable—it’s supposed to make things better. The fact that he’s willing to take the heat from those who are resistant to change shows he’s committed to doing what’s right, not just what’s popular.
Some criticize his decisions on not prosecuting certain crimes or eliminating sentencing enhancements. While these moves may seem controversial, they’re part of a larger effort to reduce the inequities in the system and stop the over-criminalization of certain communities that WE asked for. It’s about fairness and creating a system that works for everyone, not just a select few.
Gascón's Opposition
On Gascón’s opposition, I can’t ignore the convenient timing of the switch from the Republican Party to No Party Preference—it feels more strategic than genuine. I also believe that any campaign that focuses solely on punishment in 2024 misses the bigger picture. Crime doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it’s fueled by deeper issues like poverty, lack of resources, and systemic inequality. Running on a “lock ‘em up” approach may sound tough, but it doesn’t get to the root of the problem or offer solutions that will actually make our communities safer and that’s what voters said they wanted.
Gascon’s opponent would be bound by the same laws and limitations George Gascón faces if elected—laws shaped by the legislature and governor that we, as voters, put into office, or through our own yes-or-no votes on ballot propositions. Sure, he might attempt to roll back some of the policies Gascón put into place, but at the end of the day, those changes would only take us back to the status quo that existed for decades before Gascón’s leadership.
What does that mean for us, the voters? It means we’d be stuck in a cycle of the same tired approach that prioritizes punishment over real solutions. We’d return to a justice system focused more on filling cells than addressing root causes, one that too often forgets that lasting safety requires more than quick fixes.
I'm On the Community's Side
George Gascón’s reforms have sparked a lot of debate, but they’re rooted in what WE, as a community, voted for. He’s challenging a system that’s been broken for too long, focusing on reducing mass incarceration, keeping families together, and offering a real path for those who’ve made mistakes. He’s not ignoring crime, he’s shifting the focus toward long-term solutions that get to the root of the issues—poverty, lack of opportunity, and over-policing in communities of color. Fixes like these take time. It’s not a quick win or an easy answer, and it’s definitely not for everyone’s comfort. But that’s what real change looks like.
So, yes, there’s crime in Los Angeles. Yes, people need to be held accountable. But I’m supporting Gascón because he’s working for a justice system that gives everyone a fair shot. He’s challenging the status quo, not to be popular, but to build something better, and that’s what this community needs. Accountability, fairness, and a justice system that puts people first—that’s the future I believe in, and that’s why I’m standing behind George Gascón.
Badge of Honor Notice: I put my time, my money, my talent, and my vote behind people and issues I believe in. I sit on the DA’s Office’s African American Advisory Board because I believe in the importance of the work they are doing and I wanted to be a part of it. I have also donated to George Gascón’s re-election campaign because I believe he is the right district attorney for LA County at this time.
